Public warned against KWS and KAA recruitment fraudsters

The new recruits aligned in a parade at the KWS field training school Manyani

The public has been warned to be wary of fraudsters conning the public of money for Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Airports Authority recruitment for training. Kenya Wildlife Service Director Julius Kipng’etich asked the public to report such cases to the police, noting “Recruitment was done and completed in the field and we are three weeks into training. There won’t be any replacements for the 12 whose training has been discontinued for various reasons.”Mr Kipng’etich the training would address security gaps in the field occasioned by retirement and deaths of KWS staff.

He was speaking at the Manyani Field Training School this morning during the official opening of the KWS ranger recruits and Kenya Airports Authority security wardens presided over by the KWS chairman, Hon David Mwiraria. Mr Mwiraria expressed regret that eight recruits from KWS and four from KAA had been discontinued from the course when thorough vetting was conducted before admission to the school. The reasons for discontinuation range from forgery and impersonation to medical unfitness. Some of the cases are in court. However, he ruled out any replacements as a matter of policy.

KAA Deputy Managing Director Matthew Wamalwa said KWS had on several occasions trained KAA staff in Manyani, noting that “We have witnessed a positive change in our staff at airports once they complete training here.” Mr Wamalwa congratulated the KWS and KAA recruitment teams for adhering to the set instructions “despite pressure from various interested people and managing a very tight schedule through the two weeks of the exercise”. Mr Mwiraria noted that the continued collaboration between KWS and KAA in both the recruitment and training of their security personnel had shown how much could be achieved through good working relationships among government agencies.

Mr Mwiraria also congratulated the joint KWS and KAA recruitment for conducting the exercise in a transparent and diligent manner as verified by the public and independent institutions, including the media. “This has been confirmed from several congratulatory letters and messages received from observers and members of the public at large.” Mr Mwiraria noted that Kenya Wildlife Service plays a critical role in Kenya’s economy through wildlife tourism, adding that that made rangers’ duties to be wide-ranging and demanding. “Rangers not only protect wildlife but also people and their property from wildlife damage. They also guard vital water catchment areas,” he said. Mr Mwiraria noted that training being offered would enable the rangers to face emerging wildlife conservation challenges and was geared towards making the KWS realise its contribution to the country’s development needs.

For the Kenya Airports Authority security wardens, Mr Mwiraria said, they were in charge of airports which are now part of the national defence infrastructure and play a key role in the economy. “You are the first people to be met by visitors to Kenya; hence you create the first impression of this country as you interact with foreigners. Your curriculum has also been enhanced to ensure you acquire the skills you need as you interact with our visitors,” he said. He said the training was rigorous and had been designed to enable the recruits acquire ethical values, the physical fitness and alertness which are vital for every security personnel.